6 Sarasota Residents Say What They Really Think About Siesta Key

By now, everyone has an opinion on Siesta Key. And that includes Sarasota residents — spoiler alert: Siesta Key is actually in Sarasota, not its own thing — who definitely have a lot of feelings. Locals had some strong opinions before the show premiered but what are they thinking now that the show is approaching the mid-season mark? Here, six Sarasota residents share their thoughts on the show, its depiction of Florida wealth, and what Siesta Key is doing for ... well, Siesta Key.

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1. Melissa, 33, living in Sarasota for 10 years

Snap judgement: “My early-20s self is screaming to love this, but my 33-year-old brain just cannot take it. While I think it’s beautifully shot and shows off how gorgeous Siesta Key and Sarasota are, no amount of clear blue water can hide how absolutely transparent and shallow these kids are. Shallower than the Gulf of Mexico, which is really, really shallow.

"I feel that MTV needed a reality hit to bring some of that demo back from Jersey Shore/Hills days and just completely missed the mark on casting. Maybe they’ll turn up the drama but nothing about this group of kids is compelling — except for Chloe. I find that girl highly entertaining.”

The bright side: “I'm of the mind that any PR is good PR. MTV hasn't dropped the ball in depicting the gorgeous natural assets that we have, even if the cast they hired is as fake as they come. We're a city that's stuck in between wanting to stay in the past — a hidden gem of Old Florida — and moving to a more urban, lively, and cosmopolitan feel. If anything, the show opens that dialogue, which is never a bad thing.”

The claims of animal abuse: “…absolutely horrific. While Alex or other cast members were not explicitly involved in the specific shark incident, Sarasota is a small town, and the company you keep can be a reflection of a person's true self. If anything, I hope it teaches the cast a lesson about the cruelty so they can use their new ‘fame’ as a springboard for positive change. They aren't invisible anymore and with that attention can come some very harsh judgment.”

2. Lee, 36, living in Sarasota for 13 years

Snap judgment: “I'm not throwing viewing parties and if anyone asks, I may blame the DVR recordings on my girlfriend, but I haven't missed an episode. I tune in to see how the show spotlights Sarasota. It's awesome being a local and seeing the show capture and broadcast the beauty of our town. That being said, people aren't tuning into MTV for the coastline views and sunset panoramas. There’s a whole population of haters who think we're forever going to be mentioned alongside Jersey Shore. [But] with each episode, I see more positivity than harm from the show. These kids are living life to the fullest and you can't knock them living while they're young. If we're choosing sides, I'm in the pro-show corner.”

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Undoubtedly, the alleged animal cruelty connections have created tensions.

The youth appeal: “The show helps sway the mentality that people only come to Sarasota to retire or visit their grandma. Sarasota has a bustling population of twenty- and thirtysomethings, and the show takes viewers to the Key and gives some peeks at its distinct, laid-back island vibe.”

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The claims of animal abuse: “Sarasota is a proud town and locals embrace the Gulf waters. Undoubtedly, the alleged animal cruelty connections have created tensions not only within, but also far beyond the Sarasota County lines. As with any allegations, you hope the truth reveals itself and people are held accountable for their actions. Unfortunately, the grand scale of this show may cast a wider-than-normal net in terms of who people associate with the alleged acts.”

3. Kelli, 35, born and raised in Sarasota

Snap judgment: “I think the show is just fine for Sarasota. It could certainly drum up more tourism and stimulate our economy. How can that be bad? My hope, as the show progresses, is that MTV continues to highlight all of the really positive things this town has to offer: the art scene, the beautiful landscape, and the incredible philanthropic side of our wealthy residents.”

The claims of animal abuse: “The animal abuse has affected so many of our reactions. It’s one of the main reasons why people have boycotted watching the show.”

4. Richard, 29, moved to Sarasota when he was 1

Snap judgment: “I’m definitely not like, ‘Oh, this show is amazing.’ I'm more like, ‘I just want to see my hometown.’ At the same time these people who say the representation is wrong, I just don't understand how someone could say that. Just tell me what’s not realistic about it: these are wealthy, young, beautiful people. They live in beautiful houses, do beautiful things, and live in a beautiful city. And they ride around in boats. That's very, very realistic, and that's what it's like to live here. I just don't get the whole backlash and anger, because there's nothing that happens on this show that I'm like, ‘Oh, that's not real.’”

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The wealth: “There's two types of people who live on the Key: there’s Alex's parents — his dad’s very, very, successful; you turn the TV on for the 20 last years, and you see Gary — and there are a lot of people who live on the Key whose grandparents had a house in Sarasota a long, long time ago, and they inherit it. They live a more modest lifestyle, they're not necessarily ballin' out of control. But it's definitely a higher echelon, I guess, as far economic status goes.”

Just tell me what’s not realistic about it: these are wealthy, young, beautiful people.

The youth appeal: “My mother-in-law is a realtor, she's had older clients who were looking at houses on Siesta Key and, since the show has aired in the last three weeks, people have pulled out of looking in that area because they have this perception that it would become like Jersey Shore.

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They’re like, ‘This city is gonna become trashy because of this show, and there's gonna be ruffians running around in our backyard in the middle of the night.’ I just don't understand that at all.

I think it's very good for Siesta Key and Sarasota alike. Every four or five months it seems like there’s a new hotel or a new apartment building going up. And these are all young people coming into town and putting money into the economy. All these people move to Sarasota, they buy homes, they start families. That’s very, very important for the longevity of a community like this. And it's so insane to me that people would be against something like that.”

The claims of animal abuse: “In a waterside community like this, the way you treat the ecosystem is really important. I think it's totally unacceptable, and it's reprehensible behavior. I just don't understand what that has to do with the show at large. If there is a problem with one person on the show, remove him from the show. I don't see why the show wouldn’t go on.”

5. Sara, 33, born and raised in Sarasota

Snap judgment: "If the show was based on what I did when I came home from college, which was sitting on the beach, putting baby oil on, getting burnt every day, or being in an internship, I don't think that that would get the views. Most 22-year-olds don’t own a 39-foot boat but this is Alex's reality. He does live in that house; he does own that boat.

"I think people are honestly afraid to say that they watch it. But I know that everyone who lives here — if they're not staying up to watch it, they are recording it. Because it's where we live and I think that that makes you want to watch. How can you not watch? It's like a train wreck, you know?"

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In defense of Alex’s parents: "I know Alex’s mom and dad, and I absolutely adore them. They are such good people and I feel really badly that negativity has surrounded them due to the fact that viewers feel like they’re an entitled family, that they got this show for their son. They've gotten a lot of backlash and it makes me sad. They're an extremely religious family. They have worked extremely hard for their money, and they give back a lot to our community and to the autism community. [Editor's note: Two of Alex’s siblings live with autism.] Alex, I think, might be getting portrayed incorrectly. He’s always been super nice. I can imagine that he’s joking around and saying these vulgar things, and that that's what's actually getting clipped and put into the show."

Most 22-year-olds don’t own a 39-foot boat but this is Alex's reality.

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6. Katie, 28, born and raised in Sarasota

Snap judgment: "It’s a neat thing to have a show based off of our town. I think that's pretty cool. My husband and I have seen on the news that this is terrible for our town. Like they're gonna ruin it, we’re gonna have all these tourists, it’s gonna be a terrible image for us. I don't think that. I've lived here my entire life and it's amazing how much our town has grown in just a short amount of time. It's bringing a little bit more attention to the fact that Sarasota is not just a completely retirement community. There are young people here."

The wealth: "Sarasota is a very wealthy town. Working in a school like the one I work at [Editor's note: Katie works at a prestigious private school in Sarasota] kids roll up in a different car every day — Maserati, Rolls Royce. That's the normal thing for a certain group. I didn't grow up like that. My husband didn't grow up like that. A lot of my friends didn't. There’s a variety of economic groups. I feel like this show in particular shows the top percent."

My husband and I have seen on the news that this is terrible for our town.

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The (lack of) reality: "I think parts of it that are scripted. We have friends — reputable sources — that know siblings and have spoken with certain cast members, and … production has had to kind of twist some things."

The trash factor: "It's good trashy television. It's a reality show. I feel like MTV is kind of trying to redo the early 2000s all over again. It's not the most captivating TV show but it's almost their remake of Laguna Beach. I think any teenager, any young adult, anyone who remembers those days would appreciate it. I know my friends do. We've made a fun thing out of it and all watched it together, laughing about their attempt at sometimes acting when it is slightly scripted.

Whenever anyone refers to Brandon as being 'laid back' or 'chill' or 'super hot.'

Every time anyone references Siesta Key as 'paradise.'

Every time Chloe gives advice or gets involved in others’ love-life problems.

Whenever someone talks about Garrett's abs or 'modest upbringing.'"

These interviews have been edited and condensed.

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated Lee's age as 26, not 36 (an error inserted in editing). It also erroneously claimed Richard had been born in Sarasota. He moved to Sarasota when he was 1.

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